Rail-clamping device



Nov. 1, 1927. 1,647,701

w. F. HUTHER A RAIL CLAMPING DEVICE Filed Feb, 24, 1927 l Patented Nov. 1, 1927.

UNITED srArEs WILLIAM F. I-IU'IIIER, yOF CANTON, OHIO.

eAiL-cLai/irine- DEVICE.

Application :filed February 24, 1927. Serial No. 170,498.

The invention relates to means for clamping railroad rails upon the ties; and the object of the improvement is to provide a device comprising a pair of clamping members provided with jaws kfor engaging over the base Hangs of the rail and arms for extending beneath the base flange, a wedge being provided between the under side of the base and the arms for clamping the jaws ti ghtly upon the base, and having means for holding the wedge in adjusted position.

An embodiment of the linvention is illustrated in the accompanying drawing, in which l Figure 1 is a transverse sectional view through a rail att-achedto atie withthe improved clamping device, taken substantially on the line 1-1, Fig. 2;

Fig. 2, a top plan viewv of a tie adapted to accommodate the clamping device;

Fig. 3, a section substantially on the line 3-3, Fig. 2, showing the rail clamped in position upon the tie;

Fig. 4, a detached perspective view of one of the clamping members;

Fig. 5, a similar view of a slightly modilied form of clamping member;

Fig. 6, a transverse sectional view through an I-beam tie, showing a modified form of clamping device for use thereon, and

Fig. 7, a fragmentary section, showing a modified form of clamping member. y

Similar numerals refer to similar parts throughout the drawing.

In Figs. 1 to 4 inclusive the invention is illustrated as adapted to use upon a tie 1 providedwith a socket or slot 2 to receive the clamping device. When made of reinforced concrete, as shown in Figs; 1 and '2, the slot or socket of the tie is lined with a ressed steel housing as illustrated.

, The slot 2 is provided with the central enlargement 3 and is recessed at the bottom as shown at 4. The upper surface of the tie may be grooved transversely as shown at 5 to receive the base flange 6 of the rail shown generally at 7 Each of the Iclamping members S is provided at its lower end with a boss 9 of greater length than the width of the reduced portion of the slot 2 and adapted to be inserted through the enlarged central portion 3 of the slot and then moved back against one end of the recessed lower portion 4.

The upper end of each clamping member is provided with the inturned jaw 10, ar-

ranged. to bear upon the upper surface of the base flange 6 of the rail, and an angular arm 11 is spaced beneath said jaw and preferably provided with the tapered extremity 12.-.

For the purpose of drawing the clamping liaws 10 tightly down upon the base flange of the rail. a wedge plate 13 is provided to be driven between the under side of the base flange and the arms 11 of the clamping members. By driving this wedge plate into position, as shown in Figs. l and 3, the arms 11 are forced downward, causing the jaws 10 to tightly grip the base flange, clamping the same upon the top of the tie.

In order to hold the wedge plate in position, the under surface thereof maybe provided with the ratchet teeth 14, near the narrow end of the wedge, for engagement with the pawl 15 which is located within the socket 16 in the upper surface of the tie.

In order to provide for driving the wedge from either side of the tie as desired, one of these sockets may be formed near each side Vedge of the tie as shown in Fig. 2, whereby the pawl'may be placed in either socket as desired. l

As the wedge is driven into place the bosses 9, at the lower ends of the clamping members, will be forced backward and upward into t-he position best shown in Fig. 1, abutting the ends and upper ksides of the recessed portion 4 of the slot in the tie and the clanfiping members will thus pivot upon these bosses as they are driven into clamping position by the wedge.

The tie illustrated in Figs. 1 to 3 may be of cement or concrete as shown and provided with a metal lining 17 in the slot or this tie may be formedV of wood, cast steel or the like if desired.

` In Fig. 5 is shown a slightly modified form of the clamping member in which the lower end thereof is provided with an aperture 18 to receive a bolt 19 or the like instead of providing the boss at this point.

In Fig. 6 is shown an application of the clamping member to an I-beam tie 1a in which the upper portion of the tie is slotted as shown at 2a, the clamping member 8a having the bifurcated portion 2O adapted to be connected to the web of the tie as by the bolt 21.

From the above it will be seen that spikes and the like are entirely dispensed with and the rails are held rigidly clamped to the ties and prevented from accidental loosening or displacement, it being necessary to insert a tool beneath the wedge plate to disengage the pawl from the ratchet teeth thereon before the wedge plate can be withdrawn and the clamping members disengaged from the rail.

As illustrated in Fig. 7, the construction may be slightly modiiied, each clamping member being provided with the curved or angular' extremity 22 adapted to pivot within the recess 23, the action of the apparatus being otherwise the same as described above.

I claim:

l. In combination with a tie provided with a slot, and a rail, a clamping device including a pair of clamping members arranged to enter the slot in the tie, a jaw upon each clamping member arranged to engage the rail, an arm upon each clamping member arranged to be located beneath the rail and a wedge plate arranged to be located between the rail and said arms.

2. In combination with a tie provided with a slot7 and a rail, a clamping device including a pair of clamping members arranged to Venter the slot in the tie, a jaw upon each clamping member arranged to engage the rail an arm upon each clamping member arranged to be located beneath the rail, a wedge plate arranged to be located between the rail and said arms, and means for locking said wedge plate in position.

3. In combination with a tie provided with a slot,l and a rail, a clamping device including a pair of clamping members arranged to enter the slot in the tie, a jaw upon each clamping member arranged to engage the rail, an arm upon each clamping member arranged to be located beneath the rail, a wedge plate arranged to be located between the rail and said arms, teeth upon said wedge plate and a pawl upon the tie for engaging the teeth to lock the wedge plate in position.

il, In combination with a tie provided with a slot, and a rail, a clamping device including a pair of clamping members arranged to enter the slot in the tie7 a jaw upon each clamping member arranged to enga-ge the rail7 an arm upon each clamping member arranged to be located beneath the rail, a

wedge plate arranged to be located between the rail and said arms, teeth upon said wedge plate and a pawl mounted in a socket in the tie for engaging the teeth to lock the wedge plate in position.

5. In combination with a tie and a rail7 a clamping device including a pair of clamping members arranged for pivotal engagement with the tie, a aw upon each clamping member arranged to engage the rail7 an arm upon each clamping member arranged to be located beneath the rail and a wedge plate arranged to be located between the rail and said arms.

6. In combination with a tie and a rail, a clamping device including a pair of clamping members arranged for pivotal engage ment with the tie, a jaw upon each clamping member arranged to engage the rail, an arm upon each clamping member arranged to be located beneath the rail, a wedge plate arranged to be located between the rail and said arms and means for locking said wedge plate in position.

7. In combination with a tie and a rail, a clamping device including a pair of clamping members arranged for pivotal engagement with the tie, a jaw upon each clamping member arranged to engage the rail, an arm upon each clamping member arranged to be located beneath the rail, a wedge plate arranged to be located between the rail and said arms, teeth upon said wedge plate and a pawl upon the tie for engaging the teeth to lock the wedge plate in position.

8. In combination with a tie and a rail, a clamping device including a pair of clamping members arranged for pivotal engagement with the tie7 a jaw upon each clampu ing member arranged to engage the rail, an arm upon each clamping member arranged to be located beneath the rail, a wedge plate arranged to be located between the rail and said arms, teeth upon said wedge plate and a pawl mounted in a socket in the tie for engaging the teeth to lock the wedge plattl in position.

In testimony that I claim the above, I have hereunto subscribed my name.

WILLIAM F. HUTHER. 

